Vietnam retains AVC Challenge Cup title with sweep of Kazakhstan

MANILA, Philippines — No Trần Thị Thanh Thúy, no problem,

Vietnam successfully defended its crown after sweeping Kazakhstan, 25-20, 25-22, 25-22, in the AVC Challenge Cup winner-take-all final on Wednesday evening at Rizal Memorial Coliseum,

Missing the tournament’s reigning MVP due to injury didn’t stop the Vietnamese from sweeping the 2024 edition in Manila, winning all of their six matches. 

Nguyen Thi Bich Tuyen stepped up in Thuy’s absence, leading Vietnam all tournament long and doing most of the damage to Kazakhstan in the championship game.

Tuyen unleashed 24 points in the Final with 26 points off 24 attacks, one block, and an ace, winning the MVP of the tournament.

Two of her teammates were also recognized after Le Than Thuy was one of the two Best Middle Blockers awards and Nguyen Khanh Dang brought home the Best Libero.

READ: Vietnam returns to AVC Challenge Cup finals, dispatches Australia

Vietnam swept the tournament for the second straight year, winning four games in Pool B before dominating Australia in the knockout semifinal on Tuesday.

The Vietnamese qualified for the FIVB Challenger Cup — a qualifier for the Volleyball Nations League — also in Manila from July 4 to 7.

Last year, Vietnam, led by Thuy, won all of its four matches in Gresik, Indonesia.

Kazakhstan settled for silver after ousting Alas Pilipinas in the knockout semifinal less than 24 hours ago.

Sana Anarkulova carried the Kazakhs with 15 points off 14 spikes.

READ: Alas Pilipinas wins AVC Challenge Cup bronze, beats Australia anew

Alas still finished its campaign in historic fashion with a bronze medal — the team’s best finish in any AVC tournament in 63 years. 

India finished as a fifth placer after dominating Iran, 25-17, 25-16, 25-11, behind Soorya Soorya’s 15-point effort with an excellent 14-of-17 attacking clip.

Junaida Santi fired 21 points to secure seventh place for Indonesia and outlast Hong Kong, 25-15, 25-19. 25-20.